Telegraph exchange switchboard



July 12, 1932. sMlTH 1,867,333

TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE SWITCHBOARD Filed D60. 51, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR jZZZZM Q ATTORNEY July 12, 1932. E. M. SMITH 1,867,333

TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE SWITCHBOARD Filed Dec. 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVFN TOR [,M. SMITH Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V EDWARD M. SMITH, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T BELL TELEPHONE.

LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TELEGRAPH EXCI'IAN SWITO'HBOABD Application filed December 31,1930. Serial No. 505,826.

This invention relates to switchboards for use with telegraph exchange systems of the type which requires an operator at the switchboard to supervise the calls of printer stations connected to the system.

An object of this invention is to provide a switchboard for a telegraph exchange system at which an operator can communicate by printer means with any of a plurality of telegraph printer stations connected thereto in a convenient and efficient manner.

A further object of this invention is to pro vide means whereby an operator at such a switchboard can obtain information relating to the telegraph system by means of telephonic communication.

A feature of this invention is the detachable plug arrangement for the switchboard printer set. This arrangement permits an operators printer set to be easily replaced in case of trouble to the printer equipment.

Other features are the gliding rails for supporting the op-erators printer set. These rails enable the attendant at the switchboard to adjust the position of the printer equipment.

In accordance with this invention a printing telegraph switchboard is produced which is as convenient and efiective as those used for telephone exchange systems. A removable printer set, adapted for movement in one direction only. is mounted in the switchboard for communicating with printer stations connected to the board. On both sides of the printer set are shelves on which the cords and keys of the switchboard may be arranged. To the rear and slightly above the printer set and key shelves are terminating jacks for telegraph circuits connected to the switchboard. An operators telephone set and associated equipment is also provided for making a call over the telephone system. This apparatus provides the switchboard operator with means for obtaining information relating to the telegraph system. This is desirable so that the operator may be informed whenever interconnecting telegraph circuits or printer stations located at distant points are in trouble.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective, several positions of a, telegraph exchange switchboard constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the switchboard of Fig. 1 along the plane XX with theprinter machine withdrawn from its nor mal position; and

Fig. 3 illustrates in detail the front equip ment provided for making a call over the telephone system.

InFig. 1 are-shown positions 1 and 2 of a telegraph switchboard at'which operators may be seatedfor supervising calls of printer stations connected to the switchboard. Each operator may be provided with a chair or stool (not shown) which may be located in front of the printer machines 3, Cords 4:

and keys 5" are providedfor connecting the printer" machines with the subscribers printer stations over telegraph line circuits which are connected to terminal jacks 6. These jacks, are supported in vertical panels 8. Associated with each subscribers line jack 6 is a signal lamp 7 for indicating visually that a printer station wishes tocommunicate with the operator. It is to. be understood, of] course, that other jacks may be provided which connect with telegraph line circuits leading to distantswitchboards.

Telephone dials 9 and telephone jacks 10 are utilized in the event the operator wishes to make a callover the telephone system. To make such call, the operator need only insert the plug of her telephone handset (not shown) into jack 10 which, in turn, is wired to a telephone circuit. The operator may then dial the desired telephone number. If desired the telephone handset may be ermanently wired into the position and a ey provided for connecting the handset to the telephone circuit.

At each osition and underneath the footrest 11' is a asket 12 into which theloose tape 13 from the printersmachine 3 may fall.

Cords 4 located at position 0 connect with special circuits for testing lines in trouble. At this position a meter 15 may be provided for indicating the circuit condition of the line in trouble. Other features, such as-a time clock for the operator, ringing keys for ringing over the cords, and additional supervisory lamps may be conveniently arranged on the switchboard, if desired.

In Fig. 2 printer machine 3 is shown withdrawn from the panel equipment.v Two sliding rails 16, one on each side of the machine 3, support the printer and permit its movement in one direction. This arrangement allows adjustment of the position ofthe printer and provides easy access for-maintenance The prmter mach1ne 3 can be urposes. moved toward the operator for ashort distance only, further motion being prevented by contact of the front margin of rails 16 with stop bar 17. Detachable plug 18 con zont-al key shelves and cord shelves projecti'ng forwardly from said panel and having 7 keys and cords respectively mounted therein for associating-a loca l printer apparatus at t'he operators' position with a'subscribers cir-V cui-t termina-tingat said switchboard and for interconnecting the circuit of a calling sub- SQI'lbGPWltll the circuit of afcalled subscriber, said horizontal shelves be ng discontinuous at operators positions and telegraph printer apparatus detachably mounted in the spaces provided by said discontinuities to enable an operator upon an'mcommg call to ascertain the subscriber who isfwantod and'to periorm the necessary supervisionincidental to con- A nectingthe V circuits of the calling and called subscribers. i i

2'. A switchboard .assetfforth in claim 1 including guide rails extending forwardly from the vertical panel in each of saidspaces to' support the telegraph printer apparatus in suclrmanner as to permit it to be easily moved away from or toward the operator.

'3. A switchboard asset forth in claim 1 including-horizontal guide rails in each of said spaces to permit telegraph printer appara-tus mounted thereon'to be easily moved in.

a directionaway from-or toward the operator a-n'dan ad acent' recess in said vertical panel aligned with the space in which the tele-' graph printer is mounted to permit the V printer to "be moved back into said recess.

54. A switchboard as set forth in I claim 1 having a recess in said vertical panel opposite the space formed by .said discontinuity whereby telegraph printer apparatus mounted in said space may extend partly back of said vertical panel, guide rails in said space supporting said telegraph printer apparatus to permit it to be readily moved toward the operator for inspection or replacement and a stop bar at the torward endof said {guide rails to limitthe forward movement thereon ot'said telegraph printer apparatus. In witness -whereo'f,;I "hereunto subscribe my name this -29th1dav ofDecemher, 1930. EDl/VARD M. SMITH. 

